Last Updated on May 6, 2026
United Nations human rights experts are urging U.S. lawmakers to reject proposed legislation that could designate the Polisario Front as a terrorist organization, warning the move risks undermining international law and human rights protections tied to the long-running Western Sahara conflict.
In a communication dated April 30, the independent experts said the proposed “Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026” could violate Washington’s obligations under international law, particularly if it criminalizes engagement with a group that has been recognized in some international legal contexts as representing the Sahrawi peoples.
The bill, introduced by U.S. Senators Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton and Rick Scott, requires the State Department to determine whether the Polisario Front should be designated as a foreign terrorist organization, citing alleged links to Iranian-backed groups and regional security concerns.
However, UN experts cautioned that such a designation could have sweeping consequences beyond counterterrorism policy. They warned it may restrict humanitarian assistance, limit diplomatic engagement, and potentially criminalize individuals or organizations interacting with the Polisario Front in peacebuilding or human rights work.
“The designation could impede efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution,” the experts said, emphasizing that counterterrorism measures must comply with international human rights law and not obstruct legitimate political processes.
The Polisario Front has long been a central party in the Western Sahara dispute, one of the world’s longest-running territorial conflicts. The group seeks independence for the territory, while Morocco claims sovereignty and has proposed autonomy under its rule.
UN experts stressed that the conflict remains unresolved and subject to international negotiations, noting that actions by third party states should support — not hinder — a UN-led political process. They warned that labeling one party to the conflict as a terrorist organization could prejudice negotiations and further entrench divisions.
The experts also raised concerns about due process, urging that any designation process be based on clear evidence, transparency, and legal safeguards to prevent arbitrary or politically motivated decisions.
While the United States has increasingly aligned with Morocco’s autonomy proposal in recent years, the UN continues to support a negotiated solution that includes the right to self-determination for the Sahrawi peoples.
U.S. lawmakers have not publicly responded to the UN experts’ concerns. The legislation remains under consideration in Congress.
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